Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Halloween is the time of year that most people love getting scared but if you suffer from dental phobia, there’s nothing to enjoy about that kind of fear—and your oral health often suffers the consequences. People with dental phobia may experience feelings of fear or even outright terror at the mere thought of seeing the dentist. Ironically, individuals who avoid dental care for this reason actually end up in the greatest need of it, as their oral health declines because of the failure to seek professional dental care. Now for the good news … Tusculum Dental Care offers sedation through nitrous oxide, which relieves those nervous or fearful thoughts and allows individuals who suffer from these afflictions to receive the dental care they need.
Dental anxiety is more common than you might think
If you feel a little nervous before a dental appointment, you are not alone. Research conducted by the American Dental Association has found that the vast majority of Americans feel some degree of anxiety or nervousness about going to the dentist. However, diagnosed cases of dental anxiety or dentophobia (the clinical term for the literal fear of the dentist) have been estimated to affect about 36% of American adults, according to The Cleveland Clinic.
What causes dental phobia?
Sometimes, there is no clear cause of such a phobia, but the condition also could develop as a consequence of having negative experiences at the dentist in the past, from a heightened sensitivity to pain in the mouth, or having an extremely sensitive gag reflex.
How sedation dentistry can help
If you suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia, then sedation dentistry can be the solution you have been seeking. Tusculum Dental Care provides sedation via nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, individuals who have this gas administered experience a calming effect. You will feel an enhanced state of relaxation, while any feelings of fear or awareness of your surroundings decrease. This will make you comfortable enough to undergo dental work.
Certain pre-existing conditions may qualify you for sedation dentistry. These conditions may include difficulty maintaining muscle control, problems sitting still for lengthy periods of time, or being unable to keep your jaws open for lengthy periods of time.
You should not undergo sedation if you have an allergy to nitrous oxide. Sedation also is not advised for any individual who is pregnant.
Any dentist who offers sedation dentistry services should evaluate your past health history before administering any form of sedation. This evaluation will determine any pre-existing conditions that may complicate sedation or make the procedure hazardous.
Sedation dentistry in Greeneville, Erwin and Jonesborough in Tennessee
If you are interested in learning more about our sedation dentistry services, you will meet with one of our dentists, Dr. Craig Shepherd or Dr. Nathaniel Renner, for a consultation before any dental work is done. This consultation also is the ideal time for you to ask any questions about nitrous oxide or what to expect about undergoing a dental procedure under the effects of the gas.
To find out more, schedule your consultation today by calling (423) 639-7575 or contacting us online.